Toon star's grief as mum dies in fire tragedy
Published Date:
25 July 2008
DISTRAUGHT Obafemi Martins is set to miss the bulk of Newcastle United's pre-season after returning to Nigeria after the tragic death of his mother.
Martins flew to Lagos from London last night, and manager Kevin Keegan has told the striker to spend as much as he needs with his grieving family before returning ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
Mum Alhaja, 62, died in her car as she attempted to move it away from a blazing petrol tanker near her apartment in the Nigerian capital.
It is understood she had been set to move to Tyneside permanently from September.
Martins played in last Saturday's 4-1 friendly win over Hartlepool United, but it could be some time before he pulls on a Newcastle shirt again.
He misses tomorrow's friendly away to Doncaster Rovers, and is not expected back in time for the Mallorca Summer Cup early next month, with Keegan and his players set to fly out next Wednesday.
Newcastle's final two friendlies are the high-profile games against PSV Eindhoven and Valencia at St James's Park on August 6 and 9.
The full article contains 193 words and appears in Shields Gazette newspaper.
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Last Updated:
25 July 2008 9:01 AM
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Source:
Shields Gazette
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Location:
South Shields
